Tag Archives: Cancer

Seen above: Heather a week before she donated her hair, Heather and her husband Steve at their wedding, and Heather holding one of the five pony tails she donated, 16 inches!

Have you ever known someone that was battling cancer? Chances are that someone in your family or one of your friends has been diagnosed with cancer. Could you imagine if this family member was a child? Around 12,400 children under the age of 18 are diagnosed with cancer each year. All cancer patients need support from their loved ones and must stay positive during their treatment. Unfortunately, one side effect of treatment is that patients may lose their hair and that may damage their self-confidence and limit the life experiences that all children should have. This may cause a negative attitude for the child toward treatment and their physical response may be affected negatively as well.

For over 30 years, Wigs for Kids has been providing hair replacement systems to children that have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, alopecia, Trichotillomania, burns and other medical issues at no cost to children or their families. That is right, absolutely no cost. How is this possible? Hair replacement systems are funded by donors. Wigs for Kids is a non-for-profit that offers the chance to heal the pain of hair loss and help give them confidence again. Through monetary and hair donations, Wigs for Kids helps 125-150 children every year.

Heather, our writer, designer, and web guru has had many family members and friends affected by cancer and knew that she wanted to try and make a difference. She believes that no one should ever have to endure cancer, especially children whose life has just begun. Seven years ago, Heather started growing her hair out with the intention to donate and kept on top of routine trims and rarely styled or blow dried her hair to keep her hair healthy. Heather wanted to keep her length for her wedding last year and intended to cut it soon after her honeymoon however, she decided to keep it for 11 months more to allow for extra growth. Heather is dedicating her donation to her grandfather, Edwin who passed away in 2000 after a battle with Lymphoma.

This May, the long awaited haircut came. Through seven years and careful care, Heather was able to donate 16” of hair! Heather is happy to be able to help a child in need and knows that the hair she donated will help restore confidence and make them feel beautiful again. Heather researched hair donation companies for months and spoke to the American Cancer Society who recommends both Wigs for Kids and Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths program. Beautiful Lengths accepts a minimum of 8” and Wigs for Kids asks for 12”.

As mentioned above, Wigs for Kids is a truly non-for-profit and never sells their wigs. Wigs for Kids asks hair donors to try and help fund raise $1,800.00 to support the production costs of the wig that their hair will be a part of, however it is not required. Over the past few months, Heather has been collecting pledges and donations to help fund her donation. Today, Heather has $500 towards her $1,800 goal. She will be sending in her hair and all collected funds at the end of June to Wigs for Kids.

Would you like to help and donate to Heather’s cause? Visit her Fundly page here where you may donate using credit or debit cards. Any level of donation is greatly appreciated.

Would you like more information on donating your hair? Visit Wigs for Kids for more information.